Insertable accessories for providing enhanced personalization of wrist-wearable devices

ABSTRACT

An insertable accessory is provided for adding enhanced personalization to wrist-wearable devices, such as watches, wrist-wearable activity/sleep monitors, and smart watches. The insertable accessory can be of a single piece of cast metal having a platform with a top and bottom side; at least one leg shaped so as to be insertable into an adjustment hole of a wristband, and attached to the bottom side of the platform; and at least one ornamental object attached to the top side of the platform. The insertable accessory can also be a single piece of cast metal having at least one leg extending from an ornamental object, such as a gem, a gem setting, a bead, a letter, a school logo. The at least one leg is shaped so as to securely engage with an adjustment hole of an attachment band of a wrist-wearable device, and can have a round or oblong cross-section.

FIELD

This invention relates to wrist-wearable devices, and more particularly to accessories for personalizing the attachment band of wrist-wearable devices, such as fitness watches, activity trackers, and smart watches.

BACKGROUND

Fitness watches, and wrist-wearable activity/sleep monitors have reached a high level of popularity. In addition, smart watches that work with smart phones have become increasingly popular. For many people, such wearable devices have displaced conventional wrist watches. Today's wrist watches offer many ornamental features to choose from, thereby allowing for a high degree of personalization just by choosing from among the myriad options available today for wrist watches.

However, many smart watches, fitness watches, and wrist-wearable activity/sleep monitors, especially the inexpensive versions, are very plain-looking, or do not offer affordable models having various ornamental features. Current manufacturers typically do not provided a wide variety of aesthetic options to consumers that want a more personalized look for their affordable fitness watches and wrist-wearable activity/sleep monitors. Consequently, such affordable watches and monitors generally look the same from one person to the next.

SUMMARY

One general aspect of the invention is an insertable accessory for providing enhanced personalization for wrist-wearable activity/sleep monitors, smart watches, and other wrist-wearable devices. The insertable accessory includes: a platform having an outward facing surface and an underside; at least one leg, the leg being shaped so as to be insertable into an adjustment hole of a wristband of a wrist-wearable device, the at least one leg being attached to the underside of the platform; and at least one ornamental object, the at least one ornamental object being attached to the outward facing surface of the platform.

In some embodiments, the at least one ornamental object is one of: a gem, a bead, a letter, a school logo, or a gem setting.

In some embodiments, the at least one leg is shaped so as to securely engage with an adjustment hole of an attachment band of the wrist-wearable device.

In some embodiments, the at least one leg has a round cross-section so as to securely engage with a round adjustment hole of an attachment band of the wrist-wearable device.

In some embodiments, the at least one leg is oblong-shaped so as to securely engage with an oblong-shaped adjustment hole of an attachment band of the wrist-wearable device.

In some embodiments, the at least one leg has a round cross-section so as to securely engage with an oblong-shaped adjustment hole of an attachment band of the wrist-wearable device.

In some embodiments, the at least one ornamental object is attached to the outward facing surface of the platform using at least one of: adhesive, a screw post, a weld, an insertable post.

In some embodiments, at least one of a portion of the platform and at least a portion of the ornamental object is painted.

In some embodiments, the platform has an outward facing surface that has a convex curvature.

Another general aspect of the invention is an insertable accessory for providing enhanced personalization for wrist-wearable activity/sleep monitors, smart watches, and other wrist-wearable devices. This insertable accessory includes: a single piece of cast metal having a platform having an outward facing surface and an underside, at least one leg, the leg being shaped so as to be insertable into an adjustment hole of a wristband of a wrist-wearable device, the at least one leg extending from the underside of the platform, and at least one ornamental object, the at least one ornamental object extending from the outward facing surface of the platform of the single piece of cast metal.

In some embodiments, the at least one ornamental object is one of: a gem, a bead, a letter, a school logo, a gem setting.

In some embodiments, the at least one leg is shaped so as to securely engage with an adjustment hole of an attachment band of the wrist-wearable device.

In some embodiments, at least a portion of the platform and at least a portion of the ornamental object is painted.

In some embodiments, the platform has an outward facing surface that has a convex curvature.

Yet another general aspect of the invention is an insertable accessory for providing enhanced personalization for wrist-wearable activity/sleep monitors, smart watches, and other wrist-wearable devices. This insertable accessory includes: a single piece of cast metal having at least one ornamental object, the at least one ornamental object having an underside, and at least one leg, the leg being shaped so as to be insertable into an adjustment hole of a wristband of a wrist-wearable device, the at least one leg extending from the underside of the ornamental object.

In some embodiments, the at least one ornamental object is one of: a letter, a school logo, a gem setting.

In some embodiments, the at least one leg is shaped so as to securely engage with an adjustment hole of an attachment band of the wrist-wearable device.

In some embodiments, at least a portion of the ornamental object is painted.

In some embodiments, the at least one leg is oblong-shaped so as to securely engage with an oblong-shaped adjustment hole of an attachment band of the wrist-wearable device.

In some embodiments, the at least one leg has a round cross-section so as to securely engage with an oblong-shaped adjustment hole of an attachment band of the wrist-wearable device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference is made to the following Detailed Description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of a presently common known activity wristband, and two embodiments of the insertable accessories of the invention inserted into oblong adjustment holes of the activity wristband.

FIG. 2 is an exploded rear perspective view of the activity wristband of FIG. 1, showing the oblong adjustment holes of the activity wristband, and showing the two embodiments of the insertable accessories of the invention, set back from respective oblong adjustment holes of the activity wristband, also showing the oblong attachment legs of each of the two embodiments of the insertable accessory.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a portion of the activity wristband shown in FIG. 2 having two oblong adjustment holes, showing the two oblong adjustment holes and an insertable accessory having two oblong attachment legs before inserting the two oblong attachment legs into the two oblong adjustment holes.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the portion of the activity wristband of FIG. 3, showing the insertable accessory having two oblong attachment legs inserted into the two oblong adjustment holes.

FIG. 5 is a side view of a portion of the activity wristband shown in FIG. 2, showing the one oblong adjustment hole and an insertable accessory having one oblong attachment leg before inserting the one oblong attachment leg into the one oblong adjustment hole.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the portion of the activity wristband of FIG. 5, showing the insertable accessory having one oblong attachment leg inserted into the one oblong adjustment hole.

FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of a presently common known activity wristband, and one additional embodiment of the insertable accessories of the invention having a round attachment leg, this further embodiment shown inserted into an oblong adjustment hole of the activity wristband.

FIG. 8 is an exploded rear perspective view of the activity wristband of FIG. 7, showing a single oblong adjustment hole of the activity wristband, and showing the single embodiment being set back from the respective oblong adjustment hole of the activity wristband, also showing a round attachment leg of this single embodiment of the insertable accessory.

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of a watch, such as a presently common known smart watch having a wristband, and a single leg embodiment of the insertable accessory of the invention being inserted into a round adjustment hole of the wristband.

FIG. 10 is an exploded front perspective view of the watch of FIG. 9, showing the round adjustment holes of the wristband, and showing the single leg embodiment of the insertable accessory of the invention, set back from a respective round adjustment hole of the wristband, also showing the single round attachment leg of each of the single leg embodiment of the insertable accessory.

FIG. 11 is a side view of a portion of the activity wristband shown in FIG. 10 having one round adjustment hole, showing the one round adjustment hole and an insertable accessory having one round attachment leg before inserting the one round attachment leg into the one round adjustment hole.

FIG. 12 is a side view of the portion of the activity wristband of FIG. 10, showing the insertable accessory having one round attachment leg being tilted so it can be inserted into the one round adjustment hole of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a side view of the portion of the activity wristband of FIG. 10, showing the insertable accessory having one round attachment leg fully inserted into the one round adjustment hole of FIG. 11.

FIG. 14 is a side view of an alternate embodiment of the insertable accessory having one round attachment leg, the alternative embodiment having a leg portion and an ornamental object portion, the ornamental object portion being attachable to the leg portion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a wrist-wearable activity/sleep monitor 100 (also called an “activity wristband”) having an attachment band 102 is shown.

A double insertable accessory 104 having a platform 105 with two ornamental objects 106 and 108 mounted thereon is shown, the double insertable accessory 104 being inserted into two respective oblong adjustment holes (the oblong adjustment holes are not shown in this view).

A single insertable accessory 110 having a platform 111 with one ornamental object 112 mounted thereon is shown, an attachment leg of the single insertable accessory 110 being inserted into one oblong adjustment hole (the oblong adjustment hole is not shown in this view).

Referring to FIG. 2, in this exploded view, the oblong adjustment holes 204 and 206 in the attachment band 102 are shown for receiving the oblong attachment legs 200 and 202 of the double insertable accessory 104. Further, the oblong adjustment hole 210 in the attachment band 102 is shown for receiving the oblong attachment leg 208 of the single insertable accessory 110.

To use a double insertable accessory to personalize the activity wristband (which can be seen to be quite plain) the two oblong legs of the double insertable accessory are pushed into two oblong holes of the activity wristband until each of the oblong legs overcome the resistance of the holes (each hole being slightly smaller than the cross-section of each respective oblong leg), thereby securing the double insertable accessory in place.

To use a single insertable accessory to personalize the activity wristband, the oblong leg of the single insertable accessory is pushed into an oblong hole of the activity wristband until the oblong leg overcomes the resistance of the hole (the hole being slightly smaller than the cross-section of the respective oblong leg), thereby securing the single insertable accessory in place.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a portion of the activity wristband 100 and the double insertable accessory 104 shown in FIG. 2 having two oblong adjustment holes 204 and 206, showing the insertable accessory 104 having two oblong attachment legs 200 and 202 before inserting the two oblong attachment legs 200, 202 into the two oblong adjustment holes 204, 206 of the attachment band 102.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the portion of the activity wristband 100 of FIG. 2, showing the insertable accessory 104 having two oblong attachment legs 200, 202 inserted into the two oblong adjustment holes 204, 206 of the attachment band 102.

FIG. 5 is a side view of a portion of the activity wristband 100 shown in FIG. 2, showing the one oblong adjustment hole 210 and an insertable accessory 110 before inserting the one oblong attachment leg 208 into one oblong adjustment hole 210 of the attachment band 102.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the portion of the activity wristband of FIG. 5, showing the insertable accessory 110 having one oblong attachment leg 208 inserted into the one oblong adjustment hole 210 in the attachment band 102.

FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of a presently common known activity wristband 100 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and one additional embodiment 700 of the insertable accessory of the invention, this additional embodiment 700 having a round attachment leg 710, this further embodiment 700 being inserted into an oblong adjustment hole (not shown in this view) of the activity wristband 100.

FIG. 8 is an exploded rear perspective view of the activity wristband 100 of FIG. 7, showing a single oblong adjustment hole 210 of the activity wristband 100, and showing the single embodiment 700 of the insertable accessory of the invention, the single embodiment 700 being set back from the respective oblong adjustment hole 210 of the activity wristband 100, also showing a round attachment leg 710 of this single embodiment 700 of the insertable accessory.

To use the additional embodiment of the single insertable accessory to personalize the activity wristband, the round leg of the single insertable accessory is tilted and pushed into an oblong hole of the activity wristband until the round leg overcomes the resistance of the oblong hole (the oblong hole being narrower than the widest cross-section of the respective round leg), thereby securing the additional embodiment of the single insertable accessory in place.

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of a watch 900, such as a presently common known smart watch having a wristband 902, and the single leg embodiment of the insertable accessory 700 of the invention, inserted into a round adjustment hole (not visible in this view) of the wristband 902.

FIG. 10 is an exploded front perspective view of the watch of FIG. 9, showing the round adjustment holes 904 of the wristband, and showing the single leg embodiment 700 of the insertable accessory of the invention, set back from a respective round adjustment hole 904 of the wristband 902, also showing the single round attachment leg 710 of the single leg embodiment 700 of the insertable accessory.

To use the single leg embodiment of the insertable accessory to personalize the watch, the round leg of the insertable accessory is tilted and pushed into a round hole of the watch band of the watch until the round leg overcomes the resistance of the round hole (the round hole being narrower than the widest cross-section of the respective round leg), thereby securing the single leg embodiment of the insertable accessory in place.

FIG. 11 is a side view of a portion of the watch wristband 902 shown in FIG. 10 having at least one round adjustment hole 904, showing the one round adjustment hole 904 and an insertable accessory 700 having one round attachment leg 710 before inserting the one round attachment leg 710 into the one round adjustment hole 904.

FIG. 12 is a side view of the portion of the watch wristband 902 of FIG. 10, showing the insertable accessory 700 having one round attachment leg 710 being tilted so it can be inserted into the one round adjustment hole 904 of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a side view of the portion of the watch wristband 902 of FIG. 10, showing the insertable accessory 700 having one round attachment leg 710 fully inserted into the one round adjustment hole 904 of FIGS. 11 and 12.

To use the insertable accessory 700, the user grasps the insertable accessory 700 between two fingers, and pushes the round attachment leg of the insertable accessory 700 into at least one adjustment hole 904 of the band 902 of the watch (or smart watch, or wrist-wearable activity/sleep monitor). For example, the single charm embodiment 700 has one attachment leg 710, and that single attachment leg 710 is pushed into the adjustment hole 904.

For the double charm embodiment having two attachment legs (such as shown in FIGS. 2-4, each of the two attachment legs is pushed fully into a respective adjustment hole. Thus, the insertable accessory is secured in place on the monitor (or watch) band, thereby providing enhanced personalization of the wrist-wearable monitor, smart watch, or other wrist-worn device. The enhanced personalization results from the fact that there are many more options for and combinations of charms, gems, etc than the number of options available for the wrist bands of such wrist-wearable devices. Even if a wide variety of band options eventually becomes available, the insertable accessory of the invention further multiples the possibilities for personalization, enabling a person to create a highly unique and personalized look. Many consumers of such wrist-wearable devices will find this to be highly desirable.

It is advantageous to make the insertable accessory 700 of FIGS. 11-13 as a single piece of cast metal, having at least one round insertable leg 710 for insertion into at least one adjustment hole of a wrist band of an activity/sleep monitor or smart watch, for example. An outward facing surface 1100 of the single piece of cast metal can be shaped ornamentally, such as in the shape of a flower, an animal, etc. The outward facing surface 1100 can be painted ornamentally to add further adornment.

Likewise, it is advantageous to make the insertable accessory 104 of FIGS. 3-4 as a single piece of cast metal, having two round or oblong insertable legs for insertion into two respective neighboring adjustment holes of a wristband of an activity/sleep monitor or smart watch, for example. In the case of an insertable accessory having two attachment legs, it is advantageous to make the legs long enough to penetrate through two layers of the wristband, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, for example. An outward facing surface of this single piece of cast metal can be shaped ornamentally, such as in the shape of a flower, an animal, etc. Alternatively, the outward facing surface could be shaped as a rounded rectangle having a gentle curvature substantially matching the curvature of the wristband, e.g., the platform 105. This curved surface can be painted ornamentally to add further adornment. Alternatively, one, two, or three charms, gems, or other ornamental objects can be mounted on the outward facing curved surface of platform 105, as shown in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 14, alternatively, the single piece of cast metal can have an outward facing surface 1400 suitable for mounting a charm, a gem, or other ornamental object 1402. The charm, gem, or other ornamental object 1402 can be attached to the outward facing surface 1400 using an adhesive. Alternatively, the charm, gem, or other ornamental object 1402 can be mounted to a post (not shown) integral to the outward facing surface, or the post can be screwed into a threaded hole (not shown) in the outward facing surface. For insertable accessories having two insertable legs, there can be two threaded holes to accommodate two threaded posts, and two respective charms, gems, or other ornamental objects. The other ornamental objects can include: birthstones, letters, college logos, beads, gem settings, and the like.

If the insertable accessory includes a gem setting for presenting a gem, such as a diamond or a ruby, what was once an ordinary watch, or wrist-wearable activity/sleep monitor can be transformed into an extraordinary opulent accessory. For example, a black band of a wrist-wearable monitor provides an excellent background for presenting one or more diamonds using one or more insertable accessories.

Other modifications and implementations will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as claimed. Accordingly, the above description is not intended to limit the invention, except as indicated in the following claims. 

1. An insertable accessory for providing enhanced personalization for wrist-wearable activity/sleep monitors, smart watches, and other wrist-wearable devices, wherein the wrist-wearable device includes a band having a band layer thickness and one or more adjustment holes arranged along a length of the band, the one or more adjustment holes having a hole width, the insertable accessory comprising: a platform having an outward facing surface and an underside, wherein the platform has a width that is larger than the hole width; at least one leg, the leg having a first end integral with and extending from the underside of the platform, the leg further having a second end opposite the first end that terminates at a foot portion, and a midportion extending between the underside of the platform and an upper section of the foot portion, wherein the midportion has a width that is slightly less than the hole width and the foot portion has a width that is slightly wider than the hole width so that the leg may be driven into the adjustment hole as a single piece, wherein the midportion has a length corresponding to the band layer thickness so that the underside of the platform and upper section of the foot portion securely contact an upper side and lower side of the band, respectively, to secure the leg within the adjustment hole; at least one ornamental object integral with the outward facing surface of the platform; and wherein the platform, leg, and ornamental object are formed as a single piece of cast metal.
 2. The insertable accessory of claim 1, further comprising a further ornamental object attached to the at least one ornamental object, wherein the further ornamental object is one of: a gem, a bead, a letter, a school logo, a gem setting.
 3. (canceled)
 4. The insertable accessory of claim 1, wherein the adjustment hole is round and the at least one leg has a round cross-section.
 5. The insertable accessory of claim 1, wherein the adjustment hole is oblong and the at least one leg is oblong-shaped.
 6. The insertable accessory of claim 1, wherein the adjustment hole is oblong and the at least one leg has a round cross-section.
 7. The insertable accessory of claim 2, wherein the further ornamental object is attached to the outward facing surface of the platform using at least one of: adhesive, a screw post, a weld, an insertable post.
 8. The insertable accessory of claim 1, wherein at least one of a portion of the platform and at least a portion of the ornamental object is painted.
 9. The insertable accessory of claim 1, wherein the platform has an outward facing surface that has a convex curvature.
 10. An insertable accessory for providing enhanced personalization for wrist-wearable activity/sleep monitors, smart watches, and other wrist-wearable devices, wherein the wrist-wearable device includes a band having a band layer thickness and one or more adjustment holes arranged along a length of the band, the one or more adjustment holes having a hole width, the insertable accessory comprising: a single piece of cast metal including: a platform having an outward facing surface and an underside, wherein the platform has a width that is larger than the hole width; at least one leg extending from having a first end integral with the underside of the platform, the leg further having a second end opposite the first end that terminates at a foot portion, and a midportion extending between the underside of the platform and an upper section of the foot portion, wherein the midportion has a width that is slightly less than the hole width and the foot portion has a width that is slightly wider than the hole width so that the leg may be driven into the adjustment hole as a single piece, wherein the midportion has a length corresponding to the band layer thickness so that the underside of the platform and upper section of the foot portion securely contact an upper side and lower side of the band, respectively, to secure the leg within the adjustment hole; and at least one ornamental object integral with and extending from the outward facing surface of the platform of the single piece of cast metal.
 11. The insertable accessory of claim 10, further comprising at least one further ornamental object attached to the ornamental object, wherein the at least one further ornamental object is one of: a gem, a bead, a letter, a school logo, a gem setting.
 12. (canceled)
 13. The insertable accessory of claim 10, wherein at least a portion of the platform and at least a portion of the ornamental object is painted.
 14. The insertable accessory of claim 10, wherein the platform has an outward facing surface that has a convex curvature.
 15. The insertable accessory of claim 1, wherein the platform is formed as the at least one ornamental object.
 16. The insertable accessory of claim 1, wherein the at least one ornamental object is one of: a letter, a school logo, or a gem setting.
 17. (canceled)
 18. The insertable accessory of claim 15, wherein at least a portion of the ornamental object is painted.
 19. (canceled)
 20. (canceled) 